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Luang
Pho Phra Sai (Wat Pho Chai)
This bronze image of a seated Buddha is in the attitude
of subduing evil. It has very fine characteristics.
The lap width is 28 inches while the height from the
base to the top of the finial is 41 inches. It is enshrined
at Wat Pho Chai in Nong Khai municipal area. This sacred
Buddha image has been enshrined since the establishment
of the province.The history of this image relates to
many parts of Thai history but it is unclear when it
was cast or who cast it. HRH Prince Damrong Rachanuphap
speculated on its origin in a book called 'Histories
of Important Buddha Statues' which was published and
distributed in a royal kathin ceremony in the year 1925.
Prince Damrong thought that Luang Pho Phra Sai was cast
in Lan Chang Kingdom. According to legend, three princess
were the persons who caused the casting. Another legend
gives more derails, such as, King Chaiyachetthathirat's
princess daughters were named Serm, Suk,
and Sai. They had the unanimous idea to cast
their own personal Buddha images. They then asked their
father for support, thus leading to the king's command
to cost three Buddha images having different sizes according
to their ages, the oldest having the largest image.
They were named accordingly, Phra Serm for the oldest
and largest, Phra Suk for the middle sister and second
largest size, and Phra Sai for the youngest and smallest
image.
In the year 1776 King Tham Thewawong moved the three
Buddha images to be enshrined in Vientiane. They were
moved back to Thai territory again during the reign
of King Rama III. However, a storm which caused the
sinking of Phra Suk at the mouth of Nom Ngum River (Wern
Phra Suk) did not affect the others. Phra Serm and Phra
Sai were enshrined in Wat Pho Chai and Wat Ho Klong
respectively. In the reign of King Rama IV, Phra Serm
was moved to be enshrined in Bangkok while Phra Sai
still remained in Nong Khai at Wat Pho Chai. On every
full moon day of the 7th lunar month the people of Nong
Khai celebrate Phro Soi by having 'Bun Bong Fai', the
rocket contest ceremony or Wat Pho Chai.
Travelling from Nong Khai township, one can go by Highway
No.212 beginning at KM 2.
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